WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP), a leading global supplier of retail merchandising, technology and other marketing services throughout the United States and 8 other countries, today announced the appointment of R. Scott Popaditch as President and CEO effective September 6, 2016. Mr. Popaditch replaces Ms. Jill Blanchard who, as previously announced, has resigned as the Company’s President and CEO and from its Board of Directors effective August 23, 2016.

“I am honored to join the SPAR Group team as CEO and President. SPAR Group is a dynamic organization that has successfully evolved to meet the demands of an ever-changing business environment. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to build upon the current infrastructure to grow revenue and shareholder value. Through supporting and developing great associates and partners, maintaining exceptional customer value and service, and driving continuous operational efficiencies and new Technologies, SPAR is in an excellent position for both domestic and international growth, and I am excited to join at this time,” said Mr. Popaditch.

Mr. Popaditch is an entrepreneurial executive with extensive executive leadership experience in retail services, staffing, and investment banking focused on M&A. He co-founded, built, and sold Serv Corp, Inc., one of the largest southeast regional in-store marketing services firms. He led and managed the national consolidation, handling M&A and coordinating integration. He worked as SVP of Retail Sales & Operations for the Sunflower Group, managing national Retail Sales and In-store Staffing Operations focusing on Kroger, Target, and Publix. Upon completion of his Masters, he was CEO of IQ Reports, an Insurance Risk Auditing & Staffing services firm, where he recapitalized, restructured, grew revenues, and led the merger with York Insurance Services in 2013. He joined Advantage Sales & marketing and was subsequently hired as CEO of ICC Capital, managing the successful turnaround and coordinating a merger Highland Capital, which closed in April 2015. Prior to accepting his new role with SPAR Group he was the Chief Commercial Officer of Suntree Snack Foods. He earned a MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, and a BSBA from University of Central Florida.

Speaking on behalf of SPAR Group's Board of Directors, Mr. Robert Brown, Chairman, said, "Scott comes to us with a proven track record of success in multiple areas including, sales, marketing, operations, technology and M&A. Combined with his leadership credentials, and significant experience in merchandising services, we are confident in Scott’s ability to lead SPAR’s global mission of being a solutions provider dedicated to helping clients get more out of the store.”

“I would also like to reiterate our thanks to Jill Blanchard for her significant contribution to SPAR Group during her tenure as CEO. Her dedication and professionalism have continued in the last several months as we have undertaken the search for a new CEO.”

About SPAR Group

SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations. The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandiser, office supply, value, grocery, drug, independent, convenience, toy, home improvement and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, audit services, in-store events, technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May of 2001. Product services include restocking and adding new products, removing spoiled or outdated products, resetting categories "on the shelf" in accordance with client or store schematics, confirming and replacing shelf tags, setting new sale or promotional product displays and advertising, replenishing kiosks, providing in-store event staffing and providing assembly services in stores, homes and offices. Audit services include price audits, point of sale audits, out of stock audits, intercept surveys and planogram audits. Other merchandising services include whole store or departmental product sets or resets (including new store openings), new product launches, in-store demonstrations, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls. The Company currently does business in 9 countries that encompass approximately 50% of the total world population through its operations in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa, India, China, Australia, Mexico and Turkey. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com.